The road to Rikoti Pass isn’t an easy one

Pereval Rikotskiy is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,011m (3,316ft) above sea level, located in Georgia. A tunnel was constructed to bypass the road, which had proven too difficult for many drivers.

Pereval Rikotskiy

Where is Rikoti Pass?

The pass is located on the boundary between Shida Kartli and Imereti regions, in the eastern part of the country, and serves as a vital link between eastern and western Georgia.

Is Rikoti Pass paved?

The road through the pass is fully paved but pretty steep (hitting a 10.6% maximum gradient through some of the ramps) and narrow. It’s called 56.

How long is the road through Rikoti Pass?

Set high at the southern part of the Likhi Range, in the Greater Caucasus mountain range, the road is 4.4km (2.73 miles) long. The landscape is stunning, with lush greenery and picturesque views that are truly breathtaking.

Is the road through Rikoti Pass still in use?

The route, part of the Tbilisi-Kutaisi highway, was considered too demanding, so a rock-cut tunnel known as Rikoti Pass Tunnel was built in 1982 to provide an easier alternative. The tunnel is 1,722 meters (5,650 feet) long. The old road through the pass, however, remains totally active as an alternative to the tunnel.
Pic: *Gabriel